Apples + Bees = BFF

We went to a pick your own apple orchard on Saturday. We did it when Stella was a little baby two years ago, and there was a freeze that year so there weren't many apples, and mainly we just walked around their pumpkin patch and bought apple cider from their store. This time we decided to go to a different farm, and had a similar experience. They told us that the apples were sparce, and if we couldn't fill our (pre-paid) bags, that there were bins of apples they had picked, washed and had ready to go in bins spread out across the orchard. We bought three bags. We couldn't even fill one with apples we picked ourselves. But besides the lack of apples, we had a great time hanging out together as a family. Andy and I would love to have a pick your own orchard one day. We think it is a great little family business, and it would be great for our children and grand children. Andy loves to be in touch with nature - especially helping others to get in touch with their food supply, so every time we go to one of these "pick your own" farms, we get re-inspired. One thing about pick your own farms I don't like... Bees!!! This orchard had plenty. I would like to pat myself on the back though- I did not scream, squeal, jump, or run around in circles once. I stayed very calm the entire time, and just steered clear of any apples in an attempt to also steer clear of any bees. Stella on the other hand, had plenty of contact with bees, and plenty of tears to shed as a result. Every time a bee would fly up to her, she would tense up and run stiffly to try to get away. We told her the bees just wanted her apples because they were sweet, so she began to throw her apples onto the ground whenever a bee came after her. Then she would point at the apple on the ground and burst into tears because she really wanted the apple. It was a never ending sad cycle that repeated itself numerous times during our stay in the orchard.

If you enlarge this next image, you can see a bee flying at Stella's apple. It is right where she is looking, in front of her sleeve.

And then here again, the bee, a little closer to its target, and really starting to freak Stella out. She will throw the apple down in 5, 4, 3...

Stella enjoyed watching her dad pick apples, and climb trees almost as much as she enjoyed eating them. She really wanted dad to put her up in a tree, but the bee cycle would often interrupt the moment, and we would move on without Stella ever leaving the ground. Maybe next time.

This clever little one was trying real hard to give us a hint... Stella wanted nothing to do with feeding any of the animals.

Right down the street from the farm, there was a hayride, pumpkin patch, pony ride place. It also had ice cream...and so did we. ;) Stella was so excited to ride the horse. She was screaming and kicking in the car, shaking with excitement. I was excited too... after all, what a perfect picture opportunity. I was going to get my good pictures as Stella rounded the corner to make her way back, that way she would be facing me. She never made it that far. She only made it ten feet in fact.

She hopped on the pony...

Called out for Dad, and started her dismount...

And that was that.

So Sterling got a chance.

He rode much longer than Stella did...

But eventually bailed too. Then my camera died. There's always next year for some cute horse pics I guess.

We may not have come away with bags and bags full of apples like we had hoped, but we did come away with some fun little memories... and (some) pictures to prove it.

Catch up... more pictures than you can handle

I have so many recent pictures, I figured I could just make a massive post of nothing specific... just a whole bunch of things that we have been up to, or pictures of the kiddos doing what they do most the time. Stella and Sterling have been getting along fantastic for the most part. Every once in a while Stella will have a day where she wants everything Sterling has. If he has a toy - she will grab it from him, if he's in the bumbo seat... she wants to sit in the bumbo seat, etc. But usually, she is so loving and caring towards him. Often times, if he cries in the car, she says things like, "look Sterling, look at all the cars!" Or she sings to him to try to make him stop. So sweet.

Sterling cried this morning as his dad left for school... My kiddos both love their dad sooo much!

Karen Rozmus came over the other day for a young womens meeting, and Stella went crazy when she saw her at the front door. At one point during the meeting Karen walked towards the door to get something from her purse, and Stella said, "Karen don't go!" Then Karen did her hair in these pig tails, and when Karen did end up leaving, Stella told her, "Give me my kiss." before she let her walk out the door. So funny.

Stella always piles toys in front of/on top of Sterling to help keep him busy. (or to distract him so she can take the one away from him that she wants)

Stella has been doing great on the potty training front. She does just fine, as long as she has her little "potty" around. Don't know how we will get her to realize that the big toilet isn't actually scary, but until then I guess it will mean diapers when we aren't home. Hopefully soon she will be adventerous and try out the "big potty".

Look at Sterlings legs in this next picture. This pretty much sums him up. Total chiller and relaxer, and loves his dads phone, or anything with a screen.

Sterling can konk out basically anywhere.

Stella's new favorite place to hang out is on top of the fridge. I guess thats what happens when your Dad is so tall.

Stella loves to imitate us. She gets all ready to go, and stands by the door telling me she is going to school or to work like her dad. Once or twice she has told me she is going to the gym. She also calls me and Andy "babe" on occasion because thats what we so often call each other.

Stella asks to hold Sterling quite a bit, and then she will always tell me to take a picture. So I have plenty of pictures like this laying around.

After bath time one night, we played around with the kids hair. I did Sterlings hair how my mom always used to do my hair when I was a baby. We also brushed Stella's hair out straight and left it... it ended up curling just like normal.

It would appear that Stella loves her ice cream. She asks for it multiple times a day. I have to remind her a couple of times a day that ice cream is only what we eat for dessert - not for every thing else. Funny thing is, Stella doesn't like cold things. She never finishes her ice cream, because she doesn't like the cold, and we only give her mini cones as it is. But she still asks for it all the time.

An apple a day...

I decided to take Sterling to the doctor yesterday, because he seemed inconsolable. If I was holding him, and Andy walked by, he would reach out for Andy, to then turn right back and reach out for me 30 seconds later, just trying to make himself feel better. He had been grabbing at his ears a little - but I wasn't certain that meant anything, considering he is literally going to get his two bottom teeth any second now. Luckily, we were able to get in to see the Doc. right away, and sure enough, Sterling had an ear infection... in both ears. Poor little guy. He was so miserable. I felt terrible knowing that he was in so much pain, and that he was trying so hard to figure out what he could do to stop it from hurting. Thank goodness for numbing ear drops!!! This is the first time I have had to give medicine to one of my kids (besides teething tablets, occasional tylenol, and pedialyte). I think I lucked out pretty well with Stella being 2 and still no ear infections. We do pretty well keeping the Doctors away... lets hope this is it for the sick season eh? After taking his medicine faithfully, he is now as good as gold. You would never know he was "sick" just by looking at him. Stella was such a great big sister while we were at the Doctors. Normally, she freaks out, and doesn't want anyone else to touch him but me, however, I think she was a little nervous with how sad Sterling seemed to be, and she was just hoping someone could "fix" the problem. While we waited for the Doctor to come in, Stella sang him "I am a child of God" over and over again. She is going to be a fantastic mother someday.

*8*

Dear little silver,

Some things about you at 8 months old.

You are starting to show super excitement when Daddy comes home... ( I thought I had my mamma's boy, maybe not)

You get the biggest kick out of your big sis. All she has to do is say peek - a - boo, and you giggle your little heart out.

You wake up at least once a night (usually 2-3 times)... we are working on the soothing yourself, you get there, but it takes about an hour every time you wake. (I didn't think anyone could be harder to get to sleep through the night than Stella, I guess you just want to prove me wrong.)

When it finally is time to feed you in the morning, you giggle and giggle with pure excitement from the time I pick you up until you get to eat...

You are still as cuddly as can be - LOVE IT!!

You love your food, but when I put you in the bumbo to feed you - you flail yourself around until the first bite is in your mouth, then you remember.. ah yes, I like this.

You are a techno geek. You love all electronics, and can stare at the tv or computer screen for hours. (well, minutes, but in baby time..)

You don't like shoes or anything on your feet - but you will learn;).

Body contact is your best friend. You love to be as close to someone as you can get.

You still love to head butt your mom and your dad. We like it too.

You hate having your diaper changed or clothes put on you. Consequently, mom hates this too. You wiggle all around, and cleaning you up ends up meaning cleaning a lot of things up.

Still no teeth, but they are so close bud!

You ate your first whole mum mum tonight!!!

We kinda think you look like a cute little Dopey.

You still sleep in mommy and daddy's room, if you could just sleep through the night you could move into your crib - Stella wants so bad for you to sleep in with her.

Most of your clothes are 12 months.

You love to stick your tongue out in the corner of your mouth - you are so funny with your mouth.

You refuse to crawl. You prefer to roll around and around. Your belly is not where you want to be.

You still love to rock front to back when we say yeah yeah yeah - little dancer.

You have started copying me when I sign to you- soon you will be able to tell me a little about what you want.

You pout with your whole body, hanging your head and arms all the way down.

You are such a little sweet heart. I can't believe you are already 8 months!! We love you "big boy".

*camera just died... pictures will have to come later

Sick, over-tired, and teething

Poor little boy.

He still manages to smile for us every once in a while though.